News article
Mercedes F1 Team surpasses biofuel targets
The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team has saved 339 tCO2e and reduced race and hospitality trucks and generator emissions by 67% through biofuel use over the course of Formula 1’s 2023 stint in Europe, according to new findings.
Working alongside PETRONAS and the team’s logistics partners, Mercedes’ trucks utilised HVO100 biofuel, with every kilometre travelled saving 90% of CO2 emissions compared to traditional diesel.
The combined 67% emissions reduction and 339 tCO2e saving has been calculated in line with GHG protocol and latest DEFRA GHG emission factors. It also exceeds the team’s initial target of 60% emissions reduction for its fleet of trucks and generators. Not only this, but the saving has beaten the target of 200 tCO2e for the entire season.
Alice Ashpitel, Mercedes’ Head of Sustainability, said: “We are delighted to achieve such a positive set of results and reduce our freight and generator emissions significantly over this season’s European races. The use of biofuels is one of our key pioneering initiatives as part of our overarching sustainability strategy for achieving Net Zero for our Race Team Controlled emissions by 2030.
“We had to overcome complex logistical hurdles on this project. To achieve such a significant reduction in freight and generator emissions demonstrates the strong collaboration between the team, PETRONAS and our logistics partners. This project marks a significant step forward and a strong proof point supporting the wider adoption of HVO100 across sport, entertainment, and logistics industries.”
"The use of biofuels is one of our key pioneering initiatives as part of our overarching sustainability strategy."
The trucks travelled on HVO100 biofuel for over 386,000km out of a total 460,000km, while 35% of all generator fuel used was HVO100. Emissions reduction achieved by Mercedes’ fleet of trucks amounted to 307 tCO2e with the generators’ reduction totalling 32 tCO2e.
Mercedes will use the key learnings from 2023 to continue towards the full use of HVO100 in its trucks in 2024, as well as the increased use of the biofuel in its generators while reducing reliance on this equipment.
Image: Michał Obrochta/ CC BY-SA 4.0